During LASIK surgery your cornea is cut and reshaped. A special device is utilized which will cut a hinged flap of thin corneal tissue off the cornea and the flap is lifted out of the way. The laser reshapes the corneal tissue, and the surgeon replaces the flap, which immediately sticks to the eyeball. Because laser is used, there are no stitches. A perforated metal or plastic shield is placed over the eye to protect the flap.

Surgery typically lasts just 10-15 minutes per eye. Most of the time the doctor will perform surgery on both eyes consecutively. On occasion, he or she will have you wait a few days to see how the surgery turned out on the first eye before proceeding to the second eye. Generally, healing is rapid with most people experiencing complete recovery within a few days.

While mostly everyone achieves 20/20 vision after surgery, 20/20 does not guarantee perfect vision. If you have LASIK to correct your distance vision, you’ll still need reading glasses around the age of 45.

Since the surgery is new, there is no conclusive information on long term effects. Some short term problems include: problems with night driving which would necessitate you wearing glasses; corneal scarring; permanent warping of the cornea; and flap problems which can effect your vision.

Insurance companies consider the surgery to be elective, therefore be prepared to pay for the procedure out of your own pocket.

Check out the American Academy of Opthalmology’s website [www.eyenet.org] for an accredited LASIK eye surgeon in your area. Query people who have already had this procedure done before you decide whether LASIK is right for you.

By: Matthew C. Keegan

Each procedure varies due to differences in vision and patients. Most patients will pass a drivers test without contacts or glasses after the LASIK surgery.

AM I A CANDIDATE FOR LASIK?

Nearly everyone who wears contacts or glasses can benefit from LASIK. A prerequisite is to have stable vision for a year before the procedure. By this is meant to not have a huge loss of vision before the procedure.

LASIK patients typically show signs of far-sighted or near-sighted vision and/or have astigmatism. You must meet some medical and visual health guidelines and be in fair health in general. Age is not generally a problem. LASIK is regularly performed on people of all ages.

LASIK is right for you if you are motivated to make a change in your life, and you have realistic expectations of and understand what LASIK can do for you.

If you are pregnant or nursing LASIK is not recommended. Some medications may pose possible problems.

At Robbins Eye Center your consultation will determine your candidacy. Dr. Robbins will discuss with you whether your prognosis is optimal for the LASIK procedure. Hopefully you will be a great candidate and be able to opt for the best choice of your life – Improved Natural Vision.

BENEFITS OF LASIK

The greatest benefit of LASIK is permanent visual correction. For most people this means a life free of glasses and contacts!

LASIK is painless. LASIK conveniently corrects the vision in both of your eyes at the same time. You will be out of the Vision Center in less than two hours. You may return to work the very next day. You’ll save money on glasses and contacts and all that goes with them.

Generally patients return to driving and work the very next day. Your vision will improve gradually over the first 24 hours till the full effect of the surgery is realized.

ABOUT THE PROCEDURE

After your eye has been completely numbed using “eye drop” anesthesia, an eyelid holder will be placed between your eyelids to prevent you from blinking.

LASIK utilizes an instrument called a microkeratome to make a small “flap” in your cornea. You may feel some pressure but no pain is produced by using the microkeratome. You will be looking at a light during the procedure. The flap will be folded back in place without any need for stitches. Your eye will heal itself from this small incision.

By: Dr. Kim Robbins

Dr. Kim Robbins – Robbins Eye Center.